The Carolina Panthers have fired general manager Marty Hurney following the team's 1-5 start this season.

Panthers owner Jerry Richardson said it was an "extremely difficult decision" and that "Marty made every effort to bring success to the Panthers and took the team to a Super Bowl and two NFC championship games." He added that, "unfortunately, we have not enjoyed the success we hoped for in recent years."

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Carolina has not made the playoffs since 2008.

Hurney, the Panthers' GM since 2002, took responsibility for the team's failures, saying, "I am responsible for everybody in coaching, the players, the scouts and everybody in football operations. After six weeks, we are 1-5 coming off a 6-10 season."

Hurney joined the Panthers in 1998.

He was instrumental in the drafting of QB Cam Newton and the hiring of head coach Ron Rivera.